PIE VETERANS LASH BAN: ‘IT’S WAY TOO HARSH FOR A SILLY MISTAKE’

COLLINGWOOD premiership teammates Tony Shaw and Mick McGuane believe Jaidyn Stephenson’s 10-week ban is too harsh.

“I understand where they are coming from … but to me it’s just a young bloke who was dumb and made a stupid mistake,” Shaw said yesterday.

“If there was any collusion, I’d agree, he should be banned for two years or for life.

“But you can belt someone from behind in a king-hit action and if the bloke gets up and doesn’t have concussion, you’ll probably get four weeks. “Ten weeks is a long time. “I reckon it’s harsh, but I know a lot of people won’t. It’s just another stupid mistake and not all footballers are brain surgeons, as we know.

“And I’m not just saying it as Collingwood person, if it was any other player at any other club I’d still say it’s harsh.”

Asked what penalty would have been suitable, Shaw said: “Four weeks, you learn a lesson, you get on with life and go for it. The Essendon blokes only got two years and it was said that they had taken illegal drugs, so geez, for a $36 multi he’s paid a heavy price.”

McGuane, Shaw’s 1990 premiership teammate, said: “The integrity of the competition cannot be compromised.

“And clearly with all of the warnings, he should have known better, but a 22-week suspension — of which 12 are suspended — seems too harsh.

“I think a fairer figure would have been 16 weeks — eight and eight.”

Shaw said the impact on Nathan Buckley’s team would be significant.

“It’s big. This bloke is one of the top three goalkickers in the club and it could cost you games and qualifying higher,” he said. “They’ll find a way of getting around it but he’s a good player.”